A COMMIS chef has revelled in the heat of the kitchen to become the youngest winner of national competition.
Northallerton School & Sixth Form College student Ross Husband defeated competitors almost twice his age to take the Classic Lodges Cooking Competition.
Year 11 student Ross is a commis chef at Solberge Hall, near Northallerton, where he honed his skills to good effect.
In the national cook-off, staged at Danby Dale, Huddersfield, he produced in just 90 minutes a competition main dish of French trimmed chicken with mushroom and pancetta sauce, served with fondant potatoes.
Ross, who has been cooking for the past six years, was judged on his preparation, cooking skills, presentation and taste of the dish.
“I certainly didn’t expect to win and when I looked at the other competitors’ dishes they looked really good to me,” said the 16-year-old, who dreams of running his own restaurant in the Lake District one day.
“It was the first competition I have entered but this has inspired to do more. I’m currently studying food technology and business and hope to secure an apprenticeship with Solberge Hall with head chef Damon Connolly.”
Principal Keith Prytherch said: “Ross is a fine example of what can be achieved through hard work, commitment and dedication. His passion for catering has resulted in a well earned top prize in a prestigious competition which can’t fail to inspire him in his culinary ambitions.”